Where do natural hazards happen and how do we prepare for them?
This unit develops science ideas about natural hazards and how society can respond to them. Within this unit, students focus on the 2011 Great Sendai or Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
Overall, students explain what causes a tsunami to form how they can possibly lessen the impacts of one.
As an intriguing event, students are introduced to the 2011 Tsunami in Japan through a reading and footage of the excessive flooding of coastal areas in Japan. Students record and share what they notice and wonder about the natural hazard. With their initial ideas, students start to brainstorm designs to reduce the damage caused by a tsunami. This is where students start to consider engineering practices and ideas. But with so many ideas, students first need to learn what causes a tsunami and who is at risk.
As students explain how tsunamis form and who are at risk, they return to their design ideas. Students investigate different engineering designs and technologies to figure out how to help protect communities.